In memorializing Ian “Scotty” Morrison, who passed away last week, Carol Moffatt said he was “a fine man, a loving father, an National Hockey League (NHL) icon, and a good family friend.”
While tributes have been pouring in from the NHL, the Hockey Hall of Fame, national sports streaming channels, and national newspapers, Scotty is being remembered locally for his time in the Highlands.
He and wife Joan lived in the GTA during Scotty’s career as an NHL official, referee in chief, executive, and later as a president, chairman, and chief executive officer, of the Hockey Hall of Fame.
The couple moved to the cottage in Haliburton County before Scotty left for B.C. in 2018.
Moffatt recalled how her mom and dad, Bruce and Betty, visited often with the Morrisons “and, of course, with Scotty’s immeasurable contributions to the community, they saw each other often when out and about.”
‘He was just this lovely man’
She went on to describe Scotty as a man “of fierce pride, integrity and conviction. His generosity was incomparable and his contributions abundant.”
CanoeFM manager Roxanne Casey met Scotty when she was working with Community Care, and through his involvement with the Scotty Morrison Charity Hockey Tournament. She then had dealings with him when he was honourary chair of the Canoe board 2017-2019. She recalled how she had a cousin visit from Scotland and Scotty toured her cousin by boat around the lake. 705-286-3167 • 94 Bobcaygeon Rd DOWNTOWN MINDEN info@riverview-furniture.com www.riverview-furniture.com
“He was just this most lovely man. He would do anything for Haliburton County. He was involved with so many organizations. There was nothing you could say about him that wasn’t gentlemanly. If you were lucky enough to have him involved in your organization, he was a champion for whatever organization he was involved in.”
Scotty also did a once-a-week hockey talk show with Paul Cameron on CanoeFM. “Scotty loved doing that. If he was away from here, he would phone in. If he was here, he would come in. And he was always giving away Hockey Hall of Fame tickets.” He would tease Casey, as she didn’t like hockey.
Casey added that Scotty also worshipped his family. Former NHL player, and Dysart et al deputy mayor, Walt McKechnie, said, “he was just such a positive, upbeat guy in the community. He always did all kinds of things for charity. He loved the community.”
Surprise party
The community surprised Morrison with a Sovereign’s Medal for Volunteers on Dec. 28, 2016. About 120 people were on hand, along with the Stanley Cup. VIP’s included former Hockey Hall of Fame president and CEO Jeff Denomme, former OPP commissioner Julian Fantino, and senior vice president of hockey operations with the NHL, the late, Jim Gregory.
A surprised Morrison thanked the crowd “from the bottom of my heart. This has just been a very special day that I will obviously never forget. I will wear the small badge with honour.”
Speaking to the hockey tournament, former HHHS foundation chair Don Popple said on the night, “we got the NHL, we got the Stanley Cup, we got the hall of fame and we got this group of hockey personnel that classed up our tournament completely. Scotty has a great deal of passion towards any job he decides to do and that is why we are celebrating today.” The tournament ran for seven years.
On the night, Dysart et al mayor Murray Fearrey spoke of Morrison’s commitment to community, no matter where he’s been.
“When he came to Haliburton, he was instantly accepted and fit in and he got involved. It was his personality. He is just a very good, solid person, with a love of family.”
Morrison was born in Montreal in 1930 and died in B.C. Feb 25 at the age of 95.
